President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday again waved into the lingering dispute between the governors of Bayela and Rivers state over the ownership of two oil wells, calling on both governors Seriake Dickson and Chibuike Ameachi to end any media propaganda that can further escalate the issue.

The Presidency in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati, said it has noted with concern “the rather unbecoming, unnecessary and unhelpful media war between the Bayelsa and Rivers State governments over the rightful ownership of some oil wells.”

The statememt added that “the Presidency believes that this media war which appears to be escalating with each passing day can only hinder and negate efforts already initiated by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to achieve an amicable resolution of the dispute in the best interest of the affected communities, the two states and the nation.”

President Jonathan therefore urged both governors to “facilitate and help to create the right atmosphere for the successful conclusion of the peace process by ordering an immediate stoppage of all acrimonious public comments against each other over the dispute.”

“Having already had very useful discussions with the Rivers State Governor and Kalabari elders over the weekend, President Jonathan intends to take the process forward at another scheduled meeting at 11 am at the Presidential Villa on Friday, November 9, 2012 with the governors of the two states, leaders of the affected communities and all concerned stakeholders” the statement said.

The president consequently urged the two governors and leaders of the affected communities to ensure that no further spiteful or inciting comments are made against each other to pollute the right atmosphere for constructive dialogue and brotherly reconciliation which he is striving to promote for the amicable resolution of the dispute.

“He looks forward to receiving the Rivers and Bayelsa State delegations in Abuja on Friday” the statement concluded.

Earlier in the day, a statement by the Bayelsa State government revealed that the dispute over the ownership of Soku/Oluasiri oil wells between the Rivers and Bayelsa states has not abated as the two governments continue their claims to the oil rich fields.

A press statement, signed by the Bayelsa state Commissioner of Information, Markson Fefegha, dispelled an earlier statement by the Rivers state government that accused the presidency of mischief as disrespectful, insulting and smacks of arrogance.

The Bayelsa government in its statement advised the Rivers state government to refrain from making inciting and inflammatory remarks capable of triggering off inter communal crisis among the people.

The statement further explained that having lost the suits at the federal high court over the Soku/Oluasiri oil fields, the issues should have been done with.

It also referred to other instances of federal government agencies like the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission’s report in 2006 on a familiarization and verification visit to oil producing states which acknowledged that the oil wells are located in Bayelsa and not in Rivers state.

It however concluded that the government is focused and determined to ensure a peaceful resolution of the issue.


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